Post Trial Letter to Victims (Evacuated)
February 16, 2024
Re: State of Montana v. Craig Allen McCrea
Montana Twentieth Judicial District Court
Lake County – DC-22-126
To Whom It May Concern;
On July 31, 2021, the Boulder 2700 Fire erupted just north of Finley Point in Polson,
Montana. The fire destroyed thousands of acres of forest, damaged, or destroyed dozens of
buildings, and forced the emergency evacuation of hundreds of families. On February 2,
2024, the State of Montana proceeded to trial in the above-referenced case and a Lake
County jury ultimately found Craig Allen McCrea guilty of arson related to two fires,
including the Boulder 2700 Fire. Sentencing has been set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on May 3,
2024, at the Lake County Courthouse.
You are being contacted because you were evacuated during the fire and are therefore a
victim in the above-referenced case. As such, you have the right to submit a victim impact
statement which the presiding judge will review prior to sentencing. You also have the right
to request restitution for any expenses that you incurred because of the evacuation. If you
wish to submit a victim impact form or a restitution request, please call Adult Probation &
Parole Officer Katie Campbell at 406-872-6254 or contact her by email at
kampbell2@mt.gov as soon as possible. There will also be an informational meeting for
victims at the Lake County Courthouse on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., and again
on Friday, March 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. if you have additional questions.
Thank you for your assistance in this case.
Thorin A. Geist
Assistant Attorney General